Job Description TOTAL is seeking an enthusiastic, creative, and team-oriented computational biology scientist to support the development of this ambitious laboratory. He/she will contribute to the development of bioproducts computational design tools and will be the main developer of retrobiosynthesis approaches . These approaches will consist in exploring the wealth of biochemical transformations - through state-of-the-art computational modeling and data mining - to design efficient biochemical conversion routes toward the biomolecules of interest for TOTAL. As such, the computational biology scientist will interact closely with scientists in other areas of the laboratory (cheminformatics scientists, chemists, process engineers), so as to best integrate constraints on product design and performance in the retrobiosynthesis approaches. Backed by strong backgrounds in biotechnology, biochemistry, data analysis and computer science, the computational biology scientist will be equally fluent at imagining innovative methods, implementing robust computational infrastructure, and communicating / exchanging ideas with other members of the laboratory and of the company. The position will be at the heart of TOTAL's renewable products design and will therefore also involve transverse interactions with other teams of TOTAL Group's R&D.

Under the supervision of the computational methods coordinator, collaborate closely with chemoinformatics scientists to integrate constraints on product design and performance in the retrobiosynthesis methods. In particular, tailor the methods to the types of molecules targeted by the laboratory and leverage QSPR predictions to identify the most promising molecules based on their properties.

Apply the developed methods to products of interest for TOTAL. Rank predicted routes by relevance. Help conceive R&D development plans for the biotechnological routes deemed most promising.

Contribute to the development of a robust computational biology infrastructure for the joint NE/M&S laboratory as well as for transverse biotechnological activities within the TOTAL Group.

Communicate and report on scientific results.

Profile sought Education

PhD in Computational Biology, Systems Biology or Synthetic Biology.

Knowledge and experience

At least 5 years experience in computational biology and large-scale modeling of metabolism and synthetic pathways. In particular, excellent knowledge of tools used to build genome-scale metabolic networks, analyze intracellular flux distributions, explore public bioinformatics databases.

Good knowledge of biochemistry, microbiology, metabolic engineering. Prior experience in chemoinformatics and QSPR methods will be a plus.

Ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment, in particular at the interface with Systems Biology, Synthetic Biology, Metabolic Engineering, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Process Engineering.

A proven track-record of innovative research through achievements, publications and/or patents.